This micro headlamp, the size of a small stack of quarters, is the lightest headlamp we know and by a large margin. It wins our Top Pick award as the best lightweight headlamp and does so by a good margin. The only close contender was the Black Diamond Ion which is about the same weight but has a much less powerful beam, much shorter battery life, and fewer beam modes. It's hard to think of a more useful $30 you can spend on an outdoor product. Why? The e+LITE is so small (about the volume of a ChapStick) it eliminated the question "Should I bring a headlamp?" So it can be seen as either an expensive headlamp considering the light is not that bright or, as we see it, really inexpensive insurance against getting caught out at dark with no light.

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review

Performance Comparison

Credit: Shellay Glatz

Trail Finding

The trail finding score of 3 is pretty low until you consider just how small this light is. It scored as well as many headlamps that weigh four times as much. For example, in the beam comparison photo below, it is quite competitive with the Costco LED which weighs more than four times as much.

Beam Distance Photos

Petzl e+Lite

Costco headlamp

But there is no way around the fact that this is not a trail finding powerhouse. It will get you out of a jam, but if you plan on hiking long distances at night, get a true trail finding specialist like the Coast HL7.

Beam Distance Photos

Petzl e+Lite

Coast HL7

Close Proximity

Passable short distance performance is a big reason we like this headlamp so much. It casts a nice even beam around you and is surprisingly effective for how small it is.

Battery Life

This is where the e+LITE gets is revenge on the Coast and many other headlamps. In this battery life vs. beam distance graph, you can see how the high powered Coast is out after five hours while the e+LITE goes strong for 20. We feel it is essential that an emergency light give you prolonged performance which is a big reason why the e+LITE wins and award. It had much better battery life than its ultralight rival, the Black Diamond Ion.

It takes tiny 3v lithium batteries that are a little hard to find at a gas station or supermarket. However, we ordered 25 online for $6 which is enough battery power for over a year of regular use. These are much less expensive than the 6 volt batteries most other lithium ion headlamps we tested required.

Credit: Shellay Glatz

Brightness

With 24 meter measured max beam distance, this is not the brightest headlamp. By comparison, the similarly priced Coast HL7 shines a beam over 250 meters. That said, it has pretty solid beam distance for its size. It shines a beam 2 meters further than our best buy winner, the Energizer 3 LED which is 3 times the weight (but a third the cost). The e+LITE's brightness for its weight is impressive.

Weight

At 26 grams, this is the lightest headlamp in our review. Even more impressive, is the size. Because it uses a retractable string headband, it is in the most compact package imaginable. The string headband is surprisingly sturdy and keeps the light steady even when jogging. However, we don't recommend using it with a helmet as it is more prone to both slippage and improper installation than standard elastic headbands.

Credit: Shellay Glatz

Ease of Use

This uses a different light selection button than any other product tested. Instead of a button, it uses a type of lever/dial. This is a little harder to figure out at first and is nearly impossible to use with gloves.

Best Applications

This is the ultimate emergency headlamp. It is so light that you can toss it in your daypack (or even in your running sock) and not notice it. Since it weighs less than 3 AAA or AA batteries, it can serve as an alternative to bringing spare batteries and gives you the option of having two headlamps (for your friends who forget theirs). Because of its micro size, it is also nice to just have around. It takes up almost no space in a glove box or kitchen drawer.

Value

At $30, this is a premium prices light, especially for its brightness. Spend just another $6 and you get the Editors Choice Coast HL7 or the Black Diamond Spot. That said, this light is well worth every penny because of its potential to get you out of an emergency situation.

Other Versions

The Petzl Tikka XP 2, $55, delivers a great close proximity beam quality in a compact package. It represents a nice progression for the Tikka line, one of the first compact LED headlamps, that has been steadily improving for over a decade.

The Petzl NAO, $180, was the only headlamp to score perfect 10's for both trail finding and close proximity.

Conclusion

The Petzl e+LITE was our highest rated micro headlamp. At less than one ounce, it was the lightest and most compact headlamp we tested. It is durable (we put it through the washing machine by accident) and it scored surprisingly well for beam quality and close proximity, considering how small it is. Even though this headlamp (understandably) scores very poorly for beam distance and trail finding, we were still impressed with it. It comes with three different lighting modes, including a red light mode. It comes with a handy waterproof case that will insure it stays dry. However, the best part of this light is how small it is so we never used the case. It is small enough to put in a sock or keep anywhere.

Its main competitor is the Black Diamond Ion, which is the same weight and size. The Ion had a better spotlight but the E+Lite had much better close proximity light and battery life. Considering the main reason to have this headlamp is for emergency or unintended backup use, the better battery life of the E+Lite makes it the clear winner. That said, at $30 the E+Lite is $10 more expensive than the Ion and puts you in the category of much more capable three-ounce lights like the Petzl Tikkina 2.

Even though its total score was not that high, we still consider this a must- have headlamp for anyone who does serious activity in the back country or away from the car (trail running at dusk, etc). It weighs nothing so there is no reason not to bring it everywhere. If you have an extra $30, there is no reason not to buy it. It could be the most useful light you ever buy. That said, if you are on a budget and don't mind a headlamp that weighs two more ounces, go with the Fuel or the Energizer 3 LED, which cost less, perform much better and is still pretty darn small and light.

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The best part about this light for a climber is that you can carry it in your chalkbag. The plastic case protects it from the chalk and it will always work. There is now no excuse for not carrying a headlamp.

In reponse to Stefan's comment below, I don't think the e-lite is comparable to a regular Tikka, which I have also owned. You can't carry a regular Tikka on your chalk bag belt, at least not comfortably. The Tikka has a wide headband that won't stow easily, the unit itself is two or three times as big, and it weighs nearly three times as much (or almost twice as much if you count the weight of the e-lite case.

If your light is always going to be in a pack, then the Tikka might be a better alternative. But for something you have with you at all times without ever noticing it until you need it, the e-Lite is superior.

I have had the E+Lite for a couple of years, and I wonder about the hype. Space and weight wise it is comparable to a regular Tikka, but light and battery wise it is not as good. I would recommend a regular Tikka in stead.

An ideal emergency light. It is bright enough to climb by (verified the hard way). Not so good when it comes to following an indistinct trail; for this a heavier unit with a longer beam will help a lot.

For climbs with an approach pack left at the base, I leave a big lamp in the pack and carry the e-light (its case will thread on your chalk bag belt). The theory is that it will be enough to get me over the top, down the descent, and back to the pack with the big beam for the hike back out. This has worked out so far.

A nice feature of the case is that there is enough room to tape a spare battery inside it, giving you an extra boost of illumination time with virtually no weight gain and no space penalty.

Love this little guy. The review isn't lying — mine has been through the wash too, and works like new. It's surprisingly bright given the size. I keep mine in my chalk bag pouch at all times now. Rapping in the dark sucks. This is cheap insurance.

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